El Niño and La Niña are irregular events that drastically affect the climate, surface temperature, and sea surface temperature. El Niño was first recorded in the year 1567, but it wasn’t until the late 19th century that the Peruvian sailors gave it its name “El Nino,” meaning the “The Boy Child.” It occurs about every 3 to 4 years and can last about 12 to 18 months. La Nina, “The Girl Child,” was given its name simply because it’s opposite to El Nino. La Niña can occur every 3 to five years or 2 to 7 years. It can last anywhere from 9 months up to 2 years. Both these phenomena come about during the winter months and this is when their effects are most highly experienced.
(Source: ClimateWatch Magazine)
This Link will redirect you to a Geoscience Animation that will help you better understand how normal conditions are in comparison to El Nino and La Nina.
Brief Introduction of El Niño and La Niña
El Niño and La Niña are irregular events that drastically affect the climate, surface temperature, and sea surface temperature. El Niño was first recorded in the year 1567, but it wasn’t until the late 19th century that the Peruvian sailors gave it its name “El Nino,” meaning the “The Boy Child.” It occurs about every 3 to 4 years and can last about 12 to 18 months. La Nina, “The Girl Child,” was given its name simply because it’s opposite to El Nino. La Niña can occur every 3 to five years or 2 to 7 years. It can last anywhere from 9 months up to 2 years. Both these phenomena come about during the winter months and this is when their effects are most highly experienced.
This Link will redirect you to a Geoscience Animation that will help you better understand how normal conditions are in comparison to El Nino and La Nina.
Normal Conditions, El Nino, and La Nina
(Russell , 2004)
Reference:
1. Russell , L. E. (Producer). (2004). Geoscience animations. [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from http://esminfo.prenhall.com/science/geoanimations/animations/26_NinoNina.html